STRADA

On the June 3 agenda of Melancthon Council is a letter from Bluewater Geoscience, the consultants hired by Council. The letter is dated May 17, 2010 and is titled, Re: review of 2008 and 2009 Strada Melancthon/Shelburne Pit groundwater compliance monitoring reports, Strada Aggregates (wow, that is a mouthful)

The letter advises that there was an "exceedence of permitted water taking allowances by 3,000-7,000 litres per day on several days in 2009. That's a lot of water lost a pump calibration error....The detection of petroleum hydrocarbons present in the well in 2008 is noted as anomalous as they were not detected in the 2009 readings....Does the level detected in 2008 indicate a past spill....."

There is more, read it for yourself at http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/corr.june3.pdf

The June 3, 2010 minutes show that Strada was to be invited to the June 17, 2010 meeting to answer some questions.

However, guess who wasn't at the June 17 meeting or at the July 8 meeting either?

If Council can't properly monitor a 300 acre gravel pit and protect our water sources, how in the hell do they have the expertise to monitor a 2,400 acre, 200 foot below the water table, open pit mine?

The Bluewater letter goes on to state that "We have raised these issues yearly with Strada and no action has been taken to remedy these deficiencies...Despite this situation, Strada's consultants continue to make assumptions based on the inadequate monitoring network."

It closes by stating "We understand that Strada has an application for another pit in Melancthon Township in the planning stages. Melancthon township should consider whether, given Strada's track record of inadequate compliance monitoring, they have shown themselves to be good corporate citizens and have treated the concerns of citizens and the Council with the rigour they deserve." (note: MNR hasn't deemed the application complete, which is why it doesn't appear as yet, on the Environmental Registry-keep checking)

I guess my question is, why hasn't Council moved LONG before now, to protect their ratepayers by having the MOE revoke Strada's permit to take water?

Of course, Jordan is on the case, having met with them in January and still, no compliance from Strada and still not one single member of Council has gone to the press to force the issue or raise the alarm.


In fact read the minutes. Your mouth will drop open, because apparently Council has dealt with this before and there have never been any "grave concerns". http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/minutes.june3.pdf


WTF does it take? Somebody, please, light a fire under these people.

NEW LINK

Environmental Registry link has been added to this site. (Hint, look to the list of websites at the left of this blog and click on appropriate site.)

For new regulations (like the eco-tax, the G20 non-existent powers of arrest, etc.) check the registry.

Once Strada's aggregate application is considered "complete" by Ministry of Natural Resources, it will be posted and Melancthon Council's planner, Jordan might actually notice it, if one of us gives him a clue via an email link. I am sure it will cost us, but better that he be informed than not, don't you think?

BROKEN PROMISE

I know I promised a posting about Strada, but it is too late tonight and I am too tired and grumpy to be fair (ha, ha)....

But, just for fun, you get bonus points if you can identify this little guy:

Or this king of the castle:

I know, I know, pretty immature, but......they started it.

MAXIMIZING THEIR AGRICULTURAL OPERATION?

Highland Companies advised they cut those thousands of trees down and demolished those 16 homes (with another5-6 to go) to maximize their farming operations.

Here are pictures of two of the houses they bulldozed and burned last year.

See how they are missing out on those extra 4 acres of agricultural land, because they have done NOTHING with them, not even capped the wells?

But if you add up all the houses they burned and bulldozed, 16 homes X 2 acres each equals about 32 acres they COULD be farming.....

Seriously, I do NOT know how my head has not exploded!!!

I GET IT

I get that Melancthon Council is feeling beat up, I really do.

And just when it appears there is a glimmer of movement on their part towards being more open, accountable and, well in tune with the NEW Municipal Act, 2001 instead of the one that existed in 1978 (when our last Official Plan was done and when Gordon Oldfield was our Mayor), then something happens.

Thirty years ago things were done differently. The legislation was different, times were different. BUT to continue to operate a municipality under the guise of being in the 1970's is not only naive, but dangerous.

You can NOT run the municipality on volunteers and handshakes and goodwill. That opens the door for companies like Strada, the turbines, the biosolids and of course Highland Companies.

Watch tomorrow's post for Strada's new plans, which involve below the water table mining (they have already made their aggregate application to MNR), while being in voilation of their exisiting water taking permit.

GOSSIP

Gossip and rumours are a funny thing.

Kind of like the old game of telephone, where someone tells someone something and each time it gets repeated, the story gets a little muddled.

BUT when the story being retold by numerous people is exactly the same and doesn't seem to get embellished, perhaps it isn't completely true, but I would bet there is a kernel of truth in it.

SO, can anyone confirm that King John has been deposed? Cause that is what the rumour mill is churning out. Even a local politican had heard that.

Mixed feelings if it is true. Better the devil you know than the one you don't, particularly when the devil lacks the polish, patience, intelligence and finesse to fool even us country hicks.

On the other hand, IF it is true, couldn't happen to a nicer guy,

except if it happened to this little guy:

AURORA DEVELOPER CHARGED IN CUTTING 118 TREES

MEET DEVELOPER DAN(IHER)

Wow. Aurora Council means business.

118 trees cut, in violation of the municipal tree cutting bylaw and the Town gets tough with a developer. Here is the article: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/833928--developer-charged-in-razing-of-118-moraine-trees?bn=1

Highlands must be laughing. They have cut thousands and thousands and acres and acres of trees, with nothing. Not even a slap on the wrist.

Come on Councillors. It isn't rocket science. If you can't pass a tree bylaw to stop the destruction and devastation of trees, the loss of which causes wind erosion, loss of wildlife corridors and, in the words of the Town of Aurora:

"...it will adversely affect ground aquifers and adjoining woodlots and wetlands. Many homes in Aurora use well water drawn from the deep aquifers below"

then you certainly are not qualified to sit on Council to look after the best interests of the ratepayers in connection with a 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit limestone mine.

But then we knew that. They won't pass a demolition control bylaw the stop the destruction of our social fabric and tax base either. Just exactly what or WHO are they afraid of?

Last time someone asked about the demolition control bylaw, Deputy Mayor Hill, Mayoralty Candidate advised their contract planner informed them it would cost $10,000.00 for this contractor to draft a demolition control bylaw. Nice work if you can get.

KINDER COOPERATIVE COUNCIL?

Every single member of the public in attendance at Melancthon's Council meeting today commented that Council seemed finally to be hearing the concerns of ratepayers and seemed much more inclined to listen and I have to agree.

Now if we could just move on with the demolition control bylaw, the lower tier tree cutting bylaw and put the specialty crop designation in the OP we will all be happy campers.



Well, everyone except this little guy:

In fact he seemed downright dour, angry, upset, scribbling away furiously. Do you think he gets paid by the word that he jots down?

Also if anyone can confirm the rumour that King John has been deposed, that would be great.

I GOT NOTHING-TOO HOT TO THINK

Check back.....in a few days...toooo hot to think, less thinking and more drinking people!!!

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Township of Melancthon agenda and meeting at 9:00 am sharp tomorrow and then County Council tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.

But just for fun....can anyone identify this person????

OR this person?

Or this analogy?

ANOTHER UPDATE ON OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH

The Walker Quarry application is before the OMB right now.

This is the aggregate operation in Duntroon that wants to expand to another 300 acres right across the road. Oh yeah, and plant a few trees and throw a few fish in the first 300 acres they mined.

Here is a link to an article with an update on how things are going:

http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2650634

WATER WOES

So the Town of Shelburne is having a little bit of trouble locating a well near the town, due to arsenic discovered in the local town well water supply. (Source: Shelburne Free Press, front page, July 1, 2010)

Now, now, don’t panic. The Government of Canada says arsenic is a naturally occurring substance in food and water and is acceptable at certain levels.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/arsenic-eng.php

Problem with Shelburne’s wells are:

they are below the acceptable levels as set by the feds, but above the provincial guidelines.

And I have to wonder.

While arsenic in water naturally occurs in certain areas, why hasn’t the naturally occurring arsenic been detected in Shelburne’s wells before?

What has not been mentioned is about 30 years ago a manufacturing plant, which was going to be the economic salvation of Shelburne arrived. If I recall correctly, political leaders at the time were tripping over themselves to accommodate this company. (Deja vu, anyone?)

What were they manufacturing? “Green wood”. What makes wood green? Arsenic of course. In fact, over the years, people living on Victoria Street couldn’t hang white laundry out on windy days because it turned green. These statements are FACT.

In FACT-municipalities and schools have been tearing out the “green wood” playgrounds at an unprecedented rate to replace them with plastic playgrounds, due to arsenic leaching into the ground.

Now I know, I know, the Shelburne plant doesn’t use arsenic in treating their wood anymore. But there is no way, in my OPINION, that the facility could have operated, as long as it did, using arsenic with no impact. Do I know that for a FACT-no, but some politician or municipality should be asking those questions.

Also, this COULD be a little lesson in aquifers and how water really works. Any potential contaminant into the water source can potentially impact water users from that aquifer. And I am not sure where business and industry and $10/hr jobs became more important that every Canadian’s right to clean water.

UPDATE ON HIGHLANDS (UN)NEIGHBOURHOODLY MEETING

First things first.

This was orchestrated to divide and conquor.

Only a select few "neighbours" were invited.

They were NOT selected from any Official Plan Amendment (OPA) or Zoning bylaw amendment circulation area.

This was NOT the public meeting that Highlands has to hold, as legislated by the Planning Act, after they file for the OPA.

Now the nuts and bolts.

Each car was met in the driveway by Mickey, I mean Michael, clipboard and notebook in hand, with a tall anemic looking lackey and another beefy lackey on the deck.

Imagine-Mikey has graduated FROM a lackey to having two of his own, but I digress.

If this "show of force" was meant to G-20 people (you know frighten them), I am afraid it did the opposite. Honestly, what the hell were they guarding in the house? A science experiment-nope. Just King John.

Yes, he was there. In the flesh. THREE nights in a row. To meet some of his personally selected subjects.

Only 6-8 subjects were actually permitted in the room with him per meeting and those subjects were outnumbered by about 2:1 by King John's loyal guard. So lets see, about 6 people per night x 3 nights equals about 18 neighbours who were invited to the little partay to hear a message from on high, I mean a message from King John. (blow trumpet here, preferrably out King John's ass, but again I digress)

This guy is more reclusive than Howard Hughes. But I think just as weird. I didn't get a good look at Howard, I mean King John's toenails. Were they all stored in glass jars lined up behind him?

In any event the comments from the attendees (pay attention here Mikey and be sure to record it on your little clipboard):

"Waste of time"

"I am still pretty angry 2 days after the meeting"

"I didn't even bother going, I knew it would a waste of time"

"I felt like the cool kid being kicked out of the nerd party"

"No answers provided"

"Application is about 4 months from being filed-hearings about 5 years from now"

"When we arrived we were met in the driveway..confronted...and told us we were not welcome and that we must leave"

There are many, many more comments, much of the same stuff. But talk about controlling the message. Same thing with their little "open house" last July. Whenever the public is invited to a session where everyone is broken up into little groups and they are not giving the same message in a large group setting, you know there is nothing public and nothing honest about what you are going to hear.

HIGHLANDS FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODLY MEETING

Well, neighbourly, not so much.

Even little kids know that when you have a party, you either invite everyone in the class or no one.

You would think with the highly paid PR guru's employeed by Highlands they would know better than to hold a neighbourhood meeting and then turn away the neighbours.

Update tomorrow.

If anyone wants to email their experience, to be added to the comments tomorrow, anonymously of course, please send them to:

melancthonminebuster@gmail.com

YMCA

Check out this link to all the jurisdictions who are having funding problems with YMCA’s

Town to make a decision on cash strapped YMCA
http://www1.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=54458&sc=58

YMCA pool losing money
http://www.amherstdaily.com/Sports/Water-sports/2009-02-19/article-372780/Cumberland-YMCA-not-alone-in-pool-struggles/1

YMCA’s bad faith
http://metroland.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/ymca-bad-faith-.html

Budget woes could lead to centres closure
http://suisuncity.blogspot.com/2008/01/media-north-bay-ymca-faces-financial.html

YMCA funding
http://nilsribi.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/thoughts-on-city-funding-of-the-ymca-and-budgeting-in-general/

YMCA financial troubles
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/apr/29/bonita-springs-ymca-financial-trouble/

Time for police to look at YMCA files
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/It's+time+for+the+police+to+look+at+YMCA+files%3B+Following+accusations...-a0220998792

YMCA facing money problems
http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/new_river_valley/article/local_ymca_facing_money_problems/62855/
Building it is the cheap part-particularly when someone else is paying to build it.

CANADA DAY

Hey, happy Canada Day.

Get out and join the community.

You can volunteer to stem strawberries at the Honeywood arena, starting at 12 noon in preparation for the annual strawberry supper. (Tip: take your own paring knife.)








Then you can go to Shelburne and join the Canada Day festivities.



Then you can go back to Honeywood and enjoy the Honeywood United Church Strawberry supper, all proceeds to the Church.


Then you can go back to Shelburne and enjoy the fireworks.

Then go home and do the Canadian thing and have a cold one, eh!

ANSWERS ABOUT WATER

Highland Companies seems to have heard the concerns expressed by locals over the impact of their 2,400 acre 200 foot deep open pit limestone mine on water.

They have invited "neighbours" to attend an information session on the night of Monday June 28, Tuesday June 29 & Wednesday June 30. Each evening session starts at 7:00 p.m at Eddie and Lois Downey's old place on the 4th line of Melancthon.

Some of the invitations seem to have gotten lost in the mail so I would encourage you to attend one of these evening sessions so you can be reassured by their plans for our water.

I know they won't turn any neighbours away. And they should be commended for being so darn right neighbourly.

AM I IMAGING THIS

Various news sites are reporting that the spill in the gulf is gushing out 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

Does anyone remember over the past few years that whenever a threat of a storm anywhere near an off shore oil rig IMMEDIATELY caused gasoline prices to rise, "in case" of an interuption in production.

And yet, during the past two months while oil is spewing, uncontained in the gulf, gas prices are pretty low.

It couldn't be a price fixing and publicity ploy by government and big oil, could it?

You know, when things are going great, we can gouge the customer, but when we have this little "interuption of flow" that is sort of pissing lots of people off, we better not screw them?

Kind of reminds me that we have had 200 abandoned gravel pits in Dufferin since at least 1991 but only NOW is the Sand and Gravel Association, freely and without pressure from anyone, coming forward to say it long overdue that these pits and quarries be rehabilitated. Wow, what a great organization, what a load of bullshit and what a self serving publicity stunt that is.

Which brings me to my point and I do have one. BP Oil has put up $20 billion to pay for damages and so far in addition to this $20 billion has already paid out a reported $2.4 billion in damages.

Now the Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron, is concerned that BP will go under. Hm... Wonder how much in profits this company has made over the past 10 years - I would bet it is WAY more than $20 billion.

And quite frankly, if you can't pay for the damage, you shouldn't be in the business at all.

So the point is, a year ago a Melancthon ratepayer asked that should the Highland Companies application for a 2,400 acre 200 foot deep open pit limestone mine proceed, that they post $500,000,000.00 to pay for water issues experienced by ratepayers. That way, we don't have to use our own limited funds to sue a company for the clear damage they have done to our water, but they can pay for it.

If they can't afford to fix the problems, we can't afford to have the wonderous benefits from this benevolent company.

ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF MELANCTHON

A few years ago the big eye of the corporate world turned to Melancthon.

They weren't interested in learning how to form a sustainable, close knit, financially productive agricultural community.

No, no, no.

They looked to see what was in it for them. Financially speaking of course.

Farming they said? Wow, lets throw all the biosolids on that farm land and tell them it will be good for them and financially beneficial.

Thank god we had a Council at the time who realized the dangers and how ridiculous these claims were and they took a stand, passing a bylaw that prevented the spreading of this crap (figuratively & literally). The Province could have struck down the bylaw, but they didn't.

Then we had the wind turbines. We will build 50 turbines and $300,000.00 a year they purred. You will get the increased tax revenue they promised, all the while down at Queen's Park lobbying to have a regulation passed that limited what they actually had to pay in property taxes.

Once that door had been opened a crack, they kicked it open all the way and within the next five years we will have hundreds of these unproductive and very expensive sources of "power", which if course is nothing but a P.R. stunt for the government, which by the way we are ALL paying for through higher energy prices.

Now it is a 2,500 acre 200 foot deep open pit limestone mine and a DEEP plant (in Amaranth, but not sure how they will stop the emissions from floating to Melancthon).

To hear about the environmental issues facing Melancthon and Dufferin County, if you can please plan to attend the United Church in Shelburne tonight at 7:00 p.m. There will be several speakers there, including speakers from NDACT about the mine.

Here is a link with the particulars:

http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/838197--forum-to-focus-on-environmental-concerns

LICENSE TO PRINT MONEY

Wow.

Nice work if you can get it.

In 2008, the planning fees paid to Mr. Jorden, planning consultant for the Township of Melancthon, were $66,916.17.

AND he never set foot in the office on any regular basis, nor was he dealing with a massive planning issue such as a 2,400 acre, 200 foot deep open pit mine.

The 2009 actual budget shows planning fees of $73,760.00 were paid. AND the planner only started attending at the office ONCE A MONTH as of April 2009.

The estimated planning fees for 2010 are $77,000.00. But of course effective this spring he will start attending, by appointment only, twice a month in the office. Wonder how he has the time and I wonder if he bills mileage to get there? Just asking.

THEN this bombshell is dropped at Council.

Andrew Fyfe, yet another contract planner, estimates it will cost him $10,000.00 (YES, $10,000.00) to draft a demolition control bylaw. I presume, and I stand to be corrected, that this is in addition to the $77,000.00 that is budgeted for 2010.

And out of payments by Melancthon ratepayers over the past six years we have paid approximately $20,000.00 a year for "work" on the OP, according to the Mayor.

What has Mr. Jorden produced for that? Well when the pressure got great, he finally turned up at a couple Council meetings in 2010 to read word for word, like a bedtime story, from his cookie cutter draft that he is proposing for Melancthon.

What kind of cookie cutter? Well it is so depersonalized to Melancthon you could take that draft OP anywhere in the province and dump it in the municipality and not tell where you are. Well, that isn't exactly true, he did go to all the work to download the Ministry of Northen Development and Mines aggregate mapping and overlay (plop) about 6,000 acres into Melancthon.

But now the mapping company has gone bankrupt and there are no maps available-a Jorden responsibility and a mapping company for whom I am assuming some of Melancthon taxpayers fees were paid through Jorden to this company.

It is long past time that the Township of Melancthon had a full time planner, hired as an employee of the municipality. Any incumbent politician or anyone running for office who does not see that does not deserve a seat on Council.

We are not getting good value for money, that is certainly very clear.

And the reason that there is no specialty crop designation in our draft Official Plan? Because Jorden says he can't do that unless Council directs him, yet he is the "expert" who has advised Council NOT to put a speciality crop designation in the OP.

OMG.

JUNE 18 MELANCTHON COUNCIL MEETING

I received an email update from someone who attended the June 18 Council meeting.

Here is what I was advised.

Bill was Chair, Debbie was absent and he ran a good meeting-kept things moving and on time. I know personally Debbie has a close family member who is very ill and our thoughts are with your family at this difficult time.

Question period was dealt with pretty good too-people got time to ask questions and for the most part received answers.

Garry Hunter on behalf of NDACT made a great presentation and called Council on not designating lands specialty crop. Council noted that Jerry Jorden, contract planner, had advised them they couldn't do that because OMAFRA hasn't set the criteria and Jorden advised Hunter that he couldn't designate lands in the OP until Council directs him. (More on this in tomorrow's post).

A ratepayer wanted to read into the minutes an article on health issues related to turbines and Bill made the difficult (but probably correct call) that this individual should book time and appear as a delegation to present this material. I was advised it appeared Bill struggled with this, not wanting to shut people down, but also sticking to questions at question period.

Then Bill clarified what had happened at the June 10, 2010 County Council regarding the rail decision. Bill's letter regarding his position on the rail line is posted on the June 4 posting.

Bill was able to attend the June 10 Council meeting (his letter had incated he might not be able to). The Banner however, reported that a motion Bill moved to hold a public meeting prior to County having a secret, I mean in-camera meeting, with the proponent, Highland Rail Group was lost.

Well that is true, but what the Banner didn't report quite as accurately was Robbing Adams, Mayor of Orangeville's motion was lost, which was to skip the public meeting (you know that transparency stuff and listening to ratepayers just slows the process down of him, I mean Orangeville, getting a$2 million bonus by using their weighted vote to ram through the County rail sale).

Honestly, whenever I think of his, I mean Orangeville's bonus being paid out by Highlands (in addition to their legal fees over the conflict of interest) I picture Robbing Adams like this:

He should be careful though because when you do this.....



counting your chickens before they are hatched...



You sometimes wind up with this.....







THEN another motion was passed which called for, you guessed it, a public meeting to be held BEFORE the secret meeting with Highlands Rail Group.

Watch for details on this blog for the date, time and place of the railway public meeting and then plan to attend.

DEEP PROJECT

Apparently in an all out effort to brainwash, I mean convince lower tier municipalities to turn over control of ratepayers landfill sites (dumps in local speak) to the County so the County will have enough garbage to operate their DEEP plant, they organized a wonderful little trip for all interested Dufferin politicians to see one of these plants in operation.

I confess I know nothing about the technology and have not done my research to support a gasification plant or not, but after I received an email about an update given at Melancthon Council this past Thursday night, my very small minded brain started concocting this little ditty.

Enjoy..to the tune of Gilligans Island. And I am a blogger, not a poet so you may have to make the words rhyme, but at least you will get the drift of what happened:

Just sit right back
And you'll hear a tale
A tale of a long, long trip,
That started from the County of Dufferin,
For a three hour tour,
A three hour tour.

The politicians they drove off that day,
The bus ride it was long, fourteen hours at the least
To see a DEEP plant in full operation
And see garbage feed the beast
See garbage feed the beast.

The purpose of this little trip was to convince lower tier politicians to
Let the County have our landfill sites for their newest hairbrained scheme
But when they got there all they saw
Was a model display that was bright and clean
Very bright and clean

More questions were created than
Were answered on that day
So now if not for the bullying of the proponents
The project will be lost.
The project will be lost.

So join me here each day my friends,
You're sure to get a smile,
About all the Dufferin political happenings
In Minebusters usual guile

So in a nutshell, they spent 17 hours getting there to do a three hour tour of a plant that doesn't use the technology to be used here, and was not even a working plant, but a model used for these brainwashing, I mean educational tours.

And I may not know much about gasification plants, but I do know when the County gets involved it is expensive and not accountable and due to the politicial structure, Orangeville controls the County due to their weighted vote. So in effect if our dumps are turned over to the "County", Robbing Adams can use them for whatever he wants-even Orangeville garbage. Or he could even sell space in our dumps to whoever he wants.

I am not saying he would do that, I am just saying he COULD do that, with the weighted vote and all.

It does sound, from the email I received, as though Melancthon politicians aren't quite convinced just yet.....

ANOTHER POTENTIAL YMCA CASUALTY

Wonder if the guy who owns the fitness club and whoever owns the Curves franchise, you know taxpayers in Shelburne, know their esteemed Mayor is working behind the scenes to bring a YMCA to town?

Wonder if they realize the rent they pay goes toward the property taxes that will go toward the operating costs of the venue that will be in direct competition with them? Jeez, I am just asking.

So many bad puns, like who is throwing their weight around or we should all be exercising our democratic right and get out and vote on October 25, 2010.

But I won't go there. For some people their businesses are at stake and it isn't funny.

LATEST PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN

Look what the Ontario Sand and Gravel Association is doing now...for us small people in Dufferin.

"There’s a concentrated effort underway to rehabilitate Dufferin’s abandoned pits and quarries, led by The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC) and funded by the industry." (Source: Orangeville Banner, June 16, 2010)

Read the entire article at:
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/834859--dufferin-s-abandoned-quarries-targeted-for-rehabilitation

And when you see the finished product, that being the rehabilitation of the 200 abandoned pits, make no mistake. These were gravel pits NOT 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit limestone mines that were rehabilitated. Those are the ones with the massive pumps running 24/7 to keep the tender fruit trees at the bottom of them from being submerged under 50 feet of water.

And since the aggregate industry is funding it and it will in all likelihood appear in their advertising campaign about how responsible they are, I suppose they can write it off as an advertising expense.

The article states these 200 pits became abandoned after the enactment of the Aggregate Resources Act in 1990. Seems a funny coincidence they are rehabilitating them now, don't you think?

RUMOURS ABOUND AROUND TOWN

So lets address the latest rumour (merry go) round town.

Apparently the Shelburne District Agricultural Society has listed their property for sale. For a price of $10 million-all public information.

It is my opinion that Highland Companies will be extremely interested in it.

Why?

To donate it to Eddie, I mean the Town of Shelburne for THEIR YMCA, which by the way Shelburne is attempting to seduce five other municipalities into helping to support.

Highlands certainly wants to give something to the community but basically it will be a white elephant.

Yes Mayor Crewson will come out of this smelling like a rose, because he can bestow a YMCA on his loyal subjects, I mean ratepayers. Great reelection platform.

But it will also be bestowing the death of the Dundalk and Honeywood arenas and pools on the people who have supported and used those facilities for years.

The Centre Dufferin Recreation Centre budget shows an operating shortfall in 2009 of $111,458.00 and the operating shortfall for 2010 is projected to be $130,205.00. And that is before they go bigger and better and before THEIR YMCA.

Melancthon already supports three arenas and two pools and have $5 million less in assessment thanks to Highland Companies demolish and burn policy. Melancthon can not sustain that.

When Eddie's YMCA needs a new roof, new headers, a new zamboni, more staff, I hope his good buddy Lowndes is still around to help pay the bills because the only way it can even attempt to come in with an operating loss of less than $200,000/year is to increase usage and where will that come from? Dundalk and Honeywood of course.

Like I say, building it is the cheap part.

And of course, now Eddie, I mean Shelburne is all hey, lets be buddies and work with one another to develop a great recreation facility (I am paraphrasing here), but this is the SAME Eddie who bestowed a user fee on all out of town kids to play sports in HIS parks, because of course their parents didn't help pay for HIS employees to cut grass.

He even took on an elderly woman in a war of words in the letters to the editor when she wrote to say that while the rural area's do not pay taxes to cut the grass in town, but they support the local businesses and she was opposed to the rural families having to pay this fee. But nope, Ed wasn't having any of it then.

BUT, guess what tree Ed is barking up now to position why the rural communities should support the YMCA? Well of course because the rural people all drive to Shelburne to shop.

I swear to God, someone should write a book. Where is Dan Needles when you need him?

Do we need a YMCA? Not sure, but if we do and IF it is sustainable, show everyone the business plan and then the municipalities should pay for it, NOT a company who's stated intention is to dig a 2,400 acre 200 foot limestone mine (I get it Daniher-over decades not at once) on prime agricultural land.

Optics are not great in an election year, or any year for that matter. Highlands has already created enough conflicts of interest with local politicans. This just adds to the fray and "ties up votes" in my OPINION.

Again this is my OPINION only. Something to which I am entitled and entitled to express.

SURVEY SAYS.....

Just received an email advising that on the June 17, 2010 Melancthon Council agenda is an item titled review of evening Council meetings.

Well, about time they decided to move to all evening meetings.

Oh but wait a minute, this blogger could be wrong. It COULD be that they will be pulling the rug out from under the one evening Council meeting a month they hold.

It is just very difficult to tell, because of course they do not operate the way most muncipalities do, you know with a staff report to Council outlining the issue, providing background, research and a recommendation.

So, lets just assume for one minute they ARE considering not continuing with evening Council meetings.

Based on what? When they decided to "try" evening Council meetings they set no measurables on what would constitute a successful experiment.

So I am going to run a very unscientific poll on this blog, asking the simple question:

Do you think Melancthon Council should continue with evening Council meetings? YES or NO.

There are approximately 65 people a day reading this blog, so lets say I get 1% of the readers to vote (just like Highlands and the YMCA did when they did their "scientifically accurate" survey-see November 2009 post).

That means I need to get 1 vote to be accurate.

Just like in a municipal election, be sure you vote early and vote often...

MASTER OF SPIN

I will have to make apologies to Daniher, spokesperson for all that is Highland Companies.

I have found a better spin Dr.

This quote is from BP Oils own website, dated June 10, 2010:

"BP notes the fall in its share price in US trading last night. The company is not aware of any reason which justifies this share price movement. "

Gee, maybe the price fall was caused by this:

For more pics click the link:

http://thestar.blogs.com/photodesk/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-takes-toll-on-wildlife-.html

What does this have to do with Highlands?

Well big oil and big aggregate all use the same playbook.

Lobby, throw money at political parties, get cozy with local politicans, use the same phrase, trust us, we know what we are doing. They produce glossy handouts, slick powerpoints, professional websites and then watch the money roll in. When things go wrong, they still use the same playbook.

And so do the politicians, saying things like well, they are the experts, they will fix it. Not sure how you fix what BP is doing to the world's environment and not sure how Highlands will be able to fix resultant water problems when they tap into the acquifer that services more than 1 million Ontarians.

PATENT GRANTS MAY PRESERVE PROPERTY RIGHTS

I can not vouch for the information in the attached article, you would need to seek your own legal opinion, but if true, it is certainly interesting....

http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/823075--patent-grants-may-preserve-property-rights

PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT INPUT

The province is looking for your input on the Provincial Policy Statement.

The government is interested in hearing from you on the following questions:

What policies of the current PPS are working effectively?
Are there policies that need clarification or refinement?
Are there policies that are no longer needed?
Are there new policy areas or issues that the Province needs to provide land use planning direction on?
Is additional support material needed to help implement the PPS?
Do you have any other comments about the PPS?

Click here to comment before August 31, 2010

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA5NjA4&statusId=MTY0NTcy&language=en

ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF AGGREGATE (COUGH, COUGH)

Those who are purporting the economic benefits of aggregate operations in a municipality:

1) have not researched it OR
2) must be backed by or financially backing the aggregate industry

For instance, for every tonne of aggregate that is mined, and is actually weighed before being removed from the pit (and I am NOT suggesting for a minute that lots of it is not weighed, but just waved around the scales because that would not be right) the municipality gets .006.

Wow, Melancthon with all our pits and quarries, Arnolds, Strada, etc. etc. must reap TONNES, (get it? tons??? god I hate puns) of money.

Well, not so much and not so fast.

In fact the 2009 budget shows Melancthon received $58,390.79 in aggregate revenue. Wow says you. Phewy says me. Apparently that was a bumper year because of the aggregate used on turbines and in fact the budget for revenue for aggregate this year is $30,000.00. Here is a link to the budget, take a look yourself: http://melancthontownship.ca/10notices/2010-budget.pdf

It costs approximately $64,000.00 to pave a single kilometre of road. So for 2009 with all the aggregate operations and trucks on our roads the municipality didn't even generate enough income to pave ONE KILOMETRE of road. In 2010 they expect to generate enough aggregate revenue which would pave only 1/2 a kilometre of road.

And trust me we have ALOT of trucks on the road creating wear and tear. One morning at 5:35 am I counted 12 trucks lined up at the intersection of the 4th line Melancthon on County Road 17, every one of them burning fuel, waiting until the magical hour of 6 am when they could make the turn onto the 4th line and head to Strada. Wonder how those people living in Ferrier's schoolhouse like that. How to stop it? Pass an anti-idling bylaw, but I digress.


So, Melancthon is rolling in it, aren't we? Too bad it isn't money we are being rolled in for all the sacrifices we are being told to make because it will be "good" for us and the betterment of society. Our agricultural land, our water, our heritage all for what it costs to pave less then 1 kilometre of road.

BLABBING ABOUT BLOGS

Here is an example of elected officials blogging:

Evelyn Buck is a Councillor in Aurora

http://evelynmbuck.blogspot.com/2010/06/skimming.html

Ian Chadwick is a Councillor in Collingwood

http://www.ianchadwick.com/forum/index.php?/blog/1/entry-822-a-modest-tax-hike-in-2010/

And here is a blog that is somewhat critical of some elected officials....

http://eastendunderground.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/library-opens-to-great-fanfare/

TIME'S A TICKING - SUPPORT WATER HOUR

Support water hour, June 11 @ 8:00 p.m.

http://waterhour.org/

THANK A VET

D-Day, June 6, 1944

Thank a vet today.

DERMILOGICAL ADVICE FOR LOCAL POLITICIANS

Perhaps you should get a thicker skin, like this guy.....

Just (a)skin....... just asking..............get it???

I know, I know, all puns are bad but bad puns are really bad.

IN THE BEGINNING (and if you read this sermon you probably don't have to go to Church today)

In the beginning there was mankind and from the very beginning after they were "created" and began to "evolve" (see how I worked in a "balanced argument over creationism and evolution??) they have had an innate need to communicate.

Hand signs, music by beating on a rock or a chest, physicial contact (nothing like a smack upside the head to communicate that you weren't happy with your cavemate giving birth to another mouth to feed while you were away hunting) and finally a primative spoken language developed.

If you put people together with no known language or communication method, they will develop one on their own. Human language is part of being human from the very beginning.

Jump then to England after ole Willie conquored England in 1066. I don't want to get bogged down on the enlightened periods over the eons before that.

In a brief history of time in England, in the beginning the masses were not provided with formal education. Only the rich and then only certain members of the rich and elite could read and write and then you could only write it all down by hand which clearly was labour intensive and expensive.

I mean seriously you have to give it to mankind. Who looked at a tree and decided not only could I boil down the syrup and make sap out of it, or cut it down to make a boat, but I could also make a communication device out of it called paper.

Plus there was the prevaling thought amongst the upper crust that they didn't want to provide too much information. Honestly, they seriously did NOT want the peasants being educated and informed and then creating a ruckus. You know, realizing how much $$$$ the elite were earning on the hard work, health and welfare of the peasants. (Has anyone formed an analogy yet about the hedgefunds that provide the $$ to destroy the lives of us peons? Come on people, keep up....)
Priests and men of religion were the keepers of knowledge and they doled it out like it was liquid gold. I mean honestly, when did those poor parishioners realize that when the priest instructed the peons during the ceremony to "put your right hand in and take your right hand out" that it was NOT in the bible, but just for the priests amusement during services? It was probably ONLY after they learned to read.

Anyhew in about 1440 a "major development" in the history of communication was invented and it was called the printing press and it was good.

From there on it was a virtual slew of inventions to communicate. First newspapers (1700's), manual typewritter (1865), the fax machine (1843, YES I said 1843) the electric typewriter (1902) etc. etc. Each was a marvel and leader in its field when it was invented and enabled messages to be produced for the masses.

Then came this thing called the internet which was started in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 (all true, look it up if you don't believe me). Talk about being able to produce and distribute information to the masses.

Which brings us to today. Humans have an innate need to communicate.

Politicians and government have an innate need to "control" the media. All well and good, but seriously, can politicians control the press? Well sometimes. I mean clearly FOX news is conservative and CNN has a love in with Obama and the liberals, but what to do when you get a rogue paper or god forbid, people who write letters to the editor?

Well, McCarthy in the US in the 1950's had a solution, but in the end that failed. Russia and East Germany took a kick at the can but failed. Castro has had a longer run, but even that is waning fast. China is flexing its muscles and if only they hadn't "accidently" ran over that guy in Tiananmen Square in 1989 I am sure none of us would still be paying attention, right? Actually the truth is, without communication tools we never would have known.

So...the point and I do have one is, the internet is mankinds newest communication tool.

Whereas even the biggest print media of the day (say The National Enquirer during the O.J. trial) can not communicate with the distribution potential of the internet.

And so here is a word of advice.

If any local politicans have taken to their beds recently with the vapours because they have just discovered the power of the internet to get one individual's opinion, which is guaranteed under the Candian Charter of Rights, to the masses, or at least 65 people a day on this blog, I say you are a Luddite and need to get with the program.

There are laws that control what people say (slander). There are laws that control what people write (libel). What you can NOT control are people's opinions and the ability to express them, or how they distribute them.

Get with the new social media form (hint it is called the internet, tweeting, blogging, etc. etc.) or get left in its dust.

And honestly, stop doing this...

Because it doesn't help. Just makes you look silly.

Get a blog, seriously.

NDACT FUNCTION

Another candidate overlooked and apologies to Bart Malloy, who is running for Councillor in Melancthon.

Jeez, good to know people are reading this and keeping me on my toes. Now I know how Daniher feels.

BIG BUSINESS MEANS BIG TROUBLE FOR SOME STAFF AND POLITICIANS

I swear to god that all aggregate proponents have a manual. The manual to the average citizen is as elusive and hard to find as John Lowndes at a Council meeting to explain his "economic development" for Melancthon, but I digress....

But just because us average Joe's can't access the manual, doesn't mean we are not smart enough to figure it out. All you have to do is watch what happened in Flamborough (Lowndes and then St. Marys) , Melancthon (Highland Companies aka Lowndes and Baupost Group) and Simcoe (Walker Aggregates)

Step one, insinuate your company into the community

Step two, align yourself with the current politicians and senior staff of day

Step three, pay a wormtail lawyer to attend all meetings and community events, clipboard in hand, grimacing, I mean smiling politely

Step four, make donations to causes that local politicians support, depending on the politicans willingness to appear in pictures with representatives of the corporation and not speak up publically against the corporations plans for a 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit limestone mine to be developed over "decades".

Step five, hold a "public meeting" to let the public know what great people they are, but not provide any real information.

Actually we all know the drill. We are living it.

With respect to the donations, Highlands after all has done what?

A few minor repairs to the Hornings Mills hall;

Made a donation to the Orangeville legion;

Bought a new clock and zamboni for the Honeywood arena;

Do a "study" on ways to reduce blowing snow in Cty Road 124, but not provide it to the public;

And oh, yeah I forgot, they are championing a $15 million YMCA for Ed Crewson, I mean Shelburne, I mean municipalities in Dufferin and Southgate

How do I know they have a manual?

Well Walker Aggregates in Duntroon, who want to leave the first 300 acre hole they dug on the north side of the soon to be closed county road to fill with water (and oh yeah they are going to throw some fish in there too and a couple of trees) and move everything lock stock and barrel across the soon to be closed county road, and dig yet ANOTHER 300 acre hole, have been following the above noted steps religiously.

Walker Aggregate's YMCA is the Collingwood Hospital and they have been donating copiously and generously to the cause.

And the hospital IS a good cause.

BUT look what happened to the Collingwood Hospital Foundation Executive Director Jory Pritchard-Kerr:

"Collingwood's Hospital Foundation is apologizing for any appearance of political bias in the battle over a huge gravel pit above Duntroon.

In some of the newspaper ads placed by Walker Aggregates, Hospital Foundation Executive Director Jory Pritchard-Kerr is quoted, praising the company's history of donations.

The Creemore Echo reports today that at Sunday's Annual Dinner to raise money for the Foundation, Pritchard-Kerr apologized to supporters, and to the group that is battling the expansion of the quarry.

In the apology, Pritchard-Kerr said she had made a professional error being part of the campaign.

She said that it was foolish of her to believe that she could be a part of the ad campaign without appearing to be political.

The Echo received a copy of the comments from the Jan Trude, a member of the Foundation, who says the Foundation stands solidly behind Pritchard-Kerr. (Source: Bayshore Broadcasting newscentre, June 4, 2010)

And do not think for a moment that Walker cares about this persons career. Just as St. Mary's and Highlands do not care for a moment about any politican. If they don't get re-elected, Highlands will just start cozing up to the next one and never give another thought to those left in the dust.

Now that St. Marys has been shut down by the Province due to the corporations hocus pocus bogus water claims, do you think they are still fully committed to being the good community partners and are still donating generoulsy to community betterment?

Jeez, I am just asking....

CONTINUING SAGA OF THE SHORT (OF MONEY AND SUPPORT) LINE RAILROAD

Say it ain't so Mikey, say it ain't so....

Grand plans for a rail line between Brampton and Owen Sound have run into a little snag.

Perchance could it be (a lack of) money and a stupid business plan and a well orchestrated opposition?

Read all about it:
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2608204

And Deputy Mayor Bill Hill has submitted the following for consideration at the June 10 County Council meeting-excerpts below, full letter at: http://www.dufferincounty.on.ca/documents/2010-06-10_Council_Agenda.pdf


"Re: Discussion of Rail Line Sale

My opposition to the sale of the rail line has been made known for some time. My concern has
NOTHING to do with the one unsolicited offer from the Highland Railway Group. Regardless of
who may wish to purchase the line, I would not support the sale.

This tract of land can never be replaced. It was gifted to the County four years ago and while
the agreement does provide the County with considerable powers it appears to me that unless
the COUNTY is to develop a transportation corridor the intent of the gifting agreement is that
the property stays in public hands to be used as a trail.

I could be encouraged to support a lease of the line. However, there would have to be a solid
business plan that showed considerable economic benefit to the residents of the area and the
Municipalities that the rail line would go through. The “greater good” should be served.

This Council is getting near the end of its term. Let’s not let the sale of the rail line be the legacy
of our term. It would be a sad day in the history of Dufferin County.
Respectfully,
Bill Hill
Deputy Mayor
Township of Melancthon"

Thank YOU Mr. Hill, sincerely, thanks.

THIS SHOULD SCARE THE LIVING JESUS OUT OF EVERYONE IN THE PROVINCE

The above quote is contained in this article. Read it carefully and see if you can find it:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/province-pushing-through-greenbelt-power-plant/article1590343/

http://windconcernsontario.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/province-pushing-through-greenbelt-power-plant/

In support of the Holland Marsh farmers and agriculture, please inform yourself and then provide comments on the Environmental Registry BEFORE JULY 12, 2010 at this link:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA5ODYw&statusId=MTY0OTAx&language=en

THREEFER ONE AND AN APOLOGY

Three for one today.

The May 31, 2010 blog read:

Someone ask on the blog which candidates attended the NDACT fundraiser on the weekend.Sources have provided the following information and if I have missed anyone, please comment anon and I will update any names that I have missed. Remember these are declared ones only.I have listed them numerically and alphabetically so you might want to get a pen and paper handy so you can record them all:1) Wayne Hannon

I presumed this commenter was asking about Melancthon candidates.

What this should have said was the only Melancthon candidate that attended the NDACT fundraiser who is declared WAS Wayne Hannon.

NDACT did however have twice as much political representation from Mulmur in the form of Mayor Gord Montgomery and Deputy Mayor Sue Snider.

I believe their attendance was very much appreciated by NDACT and all Mulmur and Melancthon ratepayers.

Clearly, Mulmur and Melancthon need to amalgamate and then we can just elect in the politicians who DO care about the water, loss of agriculture and heritage.

So if we are voting people in based on their presence at the NDACT fundraiser alone, we should vote for....all together now, Wayne Hannon, Gord Montgomery and Sue Snider.

And again, these are the politicians that have declared who's presence at the NDACT fundraiser on May 29 was reported to this blogger. If I am missing anyone, just post an anon comment (and they ARE anon) and I will stand corrected, yet again..

ANOTHER VOTE LOST

Mayoralty Candidate Bill Hill, for all his purported experience does NOT get it.

He is a politician.

He will be subject to criticism-fair or unfair, but it is part of the game.

What most politicians do NOT do is wage a war in the papers with their own ratepayers (get it-voters????) when ratepayers disagree with them.

I don't know how he has time to campaign what with all his rebuttals and "corrections" to the paper to those who publically disagree with him. Here is the latest:

http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-06-03/Mailbox/Municipal_Election_Time.html

Since ratepayers started attending Council meetings on a regular basis in January 2009 that has been Bill's attitude toward ratepayers at meetings too.

If it isn't Bill's idea and it is proposed by a ratepayer-it is immediately, without ANY research or debate a non-starter in his world. Despite the idea usually happening later by force or will of the ratepayers.

Examples?

Evening meetings - immediate response at the meeting by Bill was NO (later after increasing pressure they moved to ONE evening meeting a month)

Posting agendas and all the supporting documentation for public meetings on line BEFORE the meetings not 2-3 weeks after - immediate response at the meeting by Bill was NO (later found out the ratepayer who provided the information about other jurisdictions was right and there was NO problem with Freedom of Information so agendas and documents are now posted on line)

Hiring a full time planner - immediate response at the meeting(s) by Bill NO (the planner then started appearing one day a month and now will be there TWO days a month, but still not good value for money-see previous blog post)

It goes to the root of the problem why I will not vote for Bill. He refuses to be flexible, doesn't want to engage or employ new technology or ideas, he is still working in the 1980's municipal world when it is really a new century.

I swear he has no clue about what a strategic plan is. And do NOT forget. Under his watch under the last few terms the municipality has not engaged in a Strategic plan and is still operating under a 30 year old Official Plan.

And yet Bill feels he has the experience to lead us because he isn't happy with the current Mayor?

I will go out on a limb here and say. If the ONLY choice is between Bill and Debbie, I would vote for Debbie in an instant.

Any other takes on the Mayor's office?

Elected officials need to be setting policy and letting staff do the work including researching an issue, writing a report based on their research and staff expertise and providing a recommendation for Council.

HERITAGE AND HISTORY...GOING, GOING, GONE

Destroying a part of Orangeville's history
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-06-03/Mailbox/Destroying_a_part_of_Orangevilles_history.html

Wrecking ball looms for heritage house
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-06-03/Front_Page/Wrecking_ball_looms_for_heritage_house.html

I wonder. If Orangeville's history is going to be destroyed because one 125 year old beautiful home is going to be demolished, wonder what the travesty in Melancthon that has occured-16 century homesteads demolished by Highland Companies so far and 21 burn permits issued in total-would be classified as?

"Mr. Grant expressed his bitterness in a letter released to the media Tuesday. “I made a proposal last night to council and I might as well have talked to a wall. Not a single councillor supported saving the house.” (Source: Orangeville Citizen, June 3, 2010)

Hey bro, I hear yah. Talking to Melancthon Council is like talking to the Great Wall of China.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

While this blog has been primarily been political in nature, at times it is important to do your civic duty and pass on an important public service announcement.

This one is about people's health.

There is a new virulent strain of an old disease.

The new disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible affliction!

The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it in 2006...but now most people, after having been infected for the past 4 years, are starting to realize how destructive this sickness is.

It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. One dose is all that is required, taken on October 25, 2010

Please pass this important message on to all those bright folk you really care about. Or least the ones with a sense of humour.